The Vancouver Canucks secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, a win built on the rebound performance of goaltender Thatcher Demko and a game-saving defensive play from veteran Tyler Myers.
Myers' Game-Saving Slide Seals the Win
With the Devils pressing for a late tying goal after pulling their goaltender, the game's defining moment came not from a save, but from a desperate defensive play. Tyler Myers, the Canucks' towering 35-year-old alternate captain, slid into the crease to block a shot with Demko out of position and without his stick. The sequence, reminiscent of a baseball player sliding into a base, preserved the one-goal lead and underscored the team's commitment to winning plays.
Myers finished the contest with three blocked shots, providing crucial stability in the first game following the blockbuster trade of captain Quinn Hughes. His leadership and timely intervention were highlighted as a key cultural element for the transitioning team.
Demko Bounces Back in Stellar Fashion
After a subpar performance in a 3-2 loss to Buffalo on Thursday where he admitted he "needed to be better," Thatcher Demko returned to elite form. The Canucks' starter was spectacular, turning aside 25 shots in a winning effort.
His most critical work came early, during a 5-on-3 penalty kill in the first period that lasted 1 minute and 19 seconds. Demko made a series of sharp saves, moving post-to-post to deny Nico Hischier and making stops on Connor Brown and Luke Hughes. The only puck to beat him was a Luke Hughes shot from the slot in the second period.
"He was outstanding. Real happy with his game," said head coach Adam Foote. "He did his job, and that's what he does, he makes big saves and seemed real calm in net. Very steady and good to see."
Rookie Buium Makes Immediate Impact
The game also marked the impressive debut of rookie defenceman Zeev Buium, one of the new players acquired in Friday's major trade. Buium set a franchise record for defencemen by recording a multi-point game (one goal and one assist) in the first period of his first NHL game.
The rookie was effusive in his praise for the goaltender behind him. "He's pretty incredible," Buium said of Demko. "He's so dialed in and locked in. Laser focus, really, it's pretty impressive. Just awesome to have a guy like that. He makes you feel that much more comfortable."
The win provides a measure of stability for the Canucks, who are navigating the immediate aftermath of a core-shaking trade. The team's five-game road trip continues, with backup Kevin Lankinen potentially starting the second half of back-to-back games in Boston on Saturday as he seeks to regain his form from last season.
